It all started on the 24th October 1999 when Pamela, one of the female gorillas of the zoological gardens of St Martin la Plaine (Loire – France) gives birth to a small female named “Digit”.

Over the next three days, the masters of the site, Pierre and Eliane Thivillon, watch closely over her but are faced with the fact that Pamela is not breast-feeding her newborn Digit. The little gorilla is rejected by her mother. The situation becomes critical during the following hours and Digit is visibly becoming very weak. Pierre and Eliane decide to take her with them and proceed to bottle-feed the fragile little gorilla.

During her first year of life Digit spends her time close to Pierre & Eliane, somewhat similar to leaving a baby in a playpen whilst the parents are busy. In the evenings she would return to a small enclosure especially adapted for her.

A sad trail of events lead to Digit having important health problems at the age of 18 months. The veterinary surgeons diagnosed an obstruction of the bowels and operate her under anaesthesia. Digit experiences difficulties in recovering from the operation and the loving attention of Pierre and Eliane is intensified. During the eight day period of recovery, they are by Digit’s side twenty four hours a day giving special care and intentness. When they noticed that Digit was finally getting better they took him back to his enclosure for the night – just like they did before the operation – but Digit grasped on to them crying, pleading that she could spend another night by their side.

Pierre & Eliane were deeply touched by her behaviour and from that day onwards a special loving bond links them all together. Ever since this moment Digit is never separated from her adopted parents. Pierre & Eliane are aware of the pitfall they let themselves into & acknowledge the fact that they consider Digit rather like their child.

Four years have passed and she is a full part of their life… strong ties have become obvious. She shares the evenings, nights and mornings of Pierre & Eliane in the heart of their home. During the day time she is enclosed in a large cage with a small group of chimpanzees that “take care” of her.

The experience, complicity and communication between Digit, Pierre & Eliane has developed in an unusual way over the last four years. A certain maturity has been acquired by Digit and there are many amazing stories of the strong moments in life that they have shared together.

The coming months will reveal a new chapter of discovery and independence for Digit. Two or three young gorillas from one of the largest European groups of gorillas in captivity will be joining her. They will be moving from the zoo of Howletts in England - where seventy gorillas are raised and taken care of - to the heart of the French Loire where Pierre, Eliane and hopefully Digit will be giving them a warm welcome.

These young gorillas are to be the new companions of Digit. Pierre is hoping to be able to totally reintegrate Digit within a group of her own. Pierre & Eliane both know that the situation they have been enjoying over the past four years cannot go on indefinitely due to growing problems. The reintroduction of Digit within a group of fellow gorillas is the best solution for their favourite little young one. If their strongest wish is that Digit is accepted within the new group, they have no doubt that this moment of separation will be lived as a heartbreaking moment for them all.